Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: grindcore
Song Meaning of “Leper Colony” by Napalm Death
The song ‘Leper Colony’ by Napalm Death is about the suffering and isolation caused by much-feared leprosy. The term “leper colony” is used to refer to an area or living space set aside for the quarantining of persons afflicted with infectious diseases such as leprosy. This isolation is not only enforced by government policies and institutions, but also by the surrounding community and society’s own fear and ostracism.
This song paints a vivid and tragic picture of those suffering from leprosy and the difficult lives they face as a result. Lyrics such as, “A picture of loneliness, a leper colony,” reflects the feeling of existential isolation and despair that many leprosy sufferers have to deal with. The chorus of “Denial of expression, social exclusion” accurately conveys the reality of life for those with leprosy as society forces them to the peripheries and bars them from fully participating in life.
Finally, the song implies a sense of hope and courage for those struggling with leprosy by emphasizing that despite social exclusion and oppression, the afflicted can find strength within themselves to speak up for justice. Ultimately, this track serves to remind listeners of the important fight for awareness and inclusion for all people.